Axel Tuanzebe insists Aston Villa aren't ready to give up the fight for automatic promotion despite fading hopes

Steve Bruce’s men have picked up just one point from their last three matches and now trail second-placed Cardiff by nine points with only seven games to play.

But Manchester United loanee Tuanzebe claims players are not ready to admit defeat.

He said: “You can see from the table we really needed that win on Saturday to push us through and give us a real chance of making it.

“But the fight is not over. There are still seven games left. We just need to go on another winning streak.

“The lads have a fighting spirit and will go to the end. No-one likes dropping points but it is part of the game and we have to bounce back. We’re more than capable of that.”

Villa now host Reading tomorrow night eager to get their campaign back on track, with boss Steve Bruce admitting he is not even taking a play-off place for granted despite an eight-point cushion over seventh place.

After thrashing Wolves 4-1 last month, Villa have slipped up against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Despite dominating the first half of Saturday’s game, they were unable to find the breakthrough and then fizzled out badly after the break, when the hosts looked the more likely winners.

Full-back Tuanzebe, who returned to the starting line-up at the KCOM Stadium after several weeks out with a hamstring injury, said: “That is the Championship, you should not expect to win.

“Any team can beat any team. That is what I have learned from this league. There is no-one really dominating.

“Anyone on their day can outperform a team. It is not all polished football, it is a dogfight at times.

“The more determined team will get the win. I am sure our lads are more than determined to bounce back.”